About Valentine’s Day Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day has changed from one form to another. Initially an ancient custom of honouring the Roman God of Fertility, this festival has had many connotations, and has ended up as the festival of romance as we know it today. It was once believed that this day was when birds propose to each other. Another belief is that it was the day of St: Valentines’ martyrdom. And even though these stories have changed over the years, the essence of Valentine’s Day’s festivities has remained the same. The History of Valentine’s Day Lupercalia was an ancient Roman festival of fertility that involved some very bizarre rituals such as animal sacrifices and blood rites. Around 494 CE, the Christian Church appropriated this as the Feast of Purification. This is the earliest record of any festivals occurring on the day. Later on, honouring one or two early saints named Valentinus, 14th February was celebrated as the feast of St. Valentine. The da